Six CCTV cameras have been installed at the Rajiv Gandhi Zoo in Katraj keeping security concerns,safety of animals and crowd management in view. The cameras have been installed as recommended by the Central Zoo Authority. Getting a pair of lions,after a gap of 13 years,and building a bridge are part of the zoo revamp plan.

The cameras have been installed at the three gates and other strategic locations making the work of the caretakers easier. These cameras,with 360-degree view,have night-vision equipment. Footage of 30 days will be stored in these surveillance equipment that would be monitored through wi-fi network.

Earlier in 2007,a theft of over 10 peacocks and sandalwood had been reported from the zoo premises. Sunil Kesari,deputy commissioner (technical) and garden superintendent,PMC,said,Rs 12 lakh has been spent on the cameras of which Rs 7 lakh was provided by the Central Zoo Authority and the rest by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). More cameras may be installed if an assessment tells us we need more. By 2015,a large number of the proposed changes and new arrangements will be in place.

He added that crowd management,especially in peak seasons like summer vacation is another reason for installation of the cameras. Today being a Sunday and the middle of summer vacation for school students,we recorded 20,708 visitors. In such cases,better management is need of the hour.

Zoo director Dr Rajkumar Jadhav said,We have also been thinking of building a bridge over the lake so that visitors need to walk less. The distance between the main gate and the elephant section (the last section of the zoo) is about 3.5 km to and fro. If the bridge is constructed,we can have a circular path that will reduce the distance by a kilometre. It will also help in better crowd management.

A pair of lions is being brought after a gap of about 13 years,from Junagadh. The last time the city had lions was prior to 1999 when the zoo was located at Peshwe park. Setting up an aquarium is among the revamp plans.